What Legal Remedies Are Available for a Spinal Cord Injury?
Spinal cord injuries can be caused by a variety of incidents, from medical malpractice to automobile accidents to on-the-job injuries. Depending on the nature and extent of the injury, they can have a variety of effects as well. From chronic pain to paralysis, the aftermath is almost always debilitating and life-changing.
However, there are a variety of legal remedies available for people who have suffered spinal cord injuries. These remedies will vary according to the cause and extent of your injury. An experienced lawyer can help you determine which are worth pursuing.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries rarely happen on their own. In most cases, they are due to someone’s actions or negligence. This can include:
Inappropriate or incompetent medical treatment
Lack of necessary medical treatment
Vehicle accidents, especially rear collisions
Irresponsible driving, including driving while texting or under the influence
Failure to keep a safe workplace
Requiring employees to perform unsafe tasks
Long Term Costs of Injuries to the Spinal Cord
Your spine controls much of your body’s sensation and movement. As such, an injury will affect more than the spinal cord itself. Your injury will have long lasting effects. You may find that your mobility is limited for the rest of your life. Many people have tingling, pain, or complete loss of sensation in their back and even their arms and legs. You will likely have to take pain medications that have side effects including being unable to drive. Even beyond the daily trials of living with a spinal cord injury, there will be overwhelming expenses, including:
Medical bills for doctors and chiropractic care
Hospital bills
Surgery costs
Physical therapy and chiropractic work
Prescriptions and other medications
Time off work
Need for medical help in the home to perform daily duties
Transportation and parking costs for medical appointments and therapies
Special devices to assist you in daily activities
Few people can afford the costs of an injury as far-reaching as this type. Because of this, the law allows you to collect damages from the person who is responsible for your injury. You should not have to pay for an injury that you did not cause.
What Can You Do?
If your injury was caused by someone else, there are a few ways that you can receive a settlement that will cover your medical costs and/or compensation for pain and suffering. The first step is to see a personal injury lawyer. They are experienced in cases like yours and can let your know what specific legal remedies will be available to you.
In many cases, you do not even have to go to court. While court is always an option, your case can be settled through negotiation, arbitration, mediation, and a variety of means. These are all complicated processes in which an experienced lawyer is a necessity.
When you have suffered an injury to your spinal cord, you need and deserve to have someone on your side. A personal injury lawyer will be your advocate and help you to get the legal remedies that you need to move on with your life.
